News links: Afternoon final

Welcome to Texas on the Potomac’s “midday update.” Every weekday, we will bring you three sets of news links, starting with a morning summary of top Texas headlines, national stories and Texas political blog posts. We’ll update at midday update with some of the top political stories that are making waves. And we’ll give you an “afternoon final” giving you something to talk about at the dinner table. As always, feel free to e-mail us with link suggestions.

1. Gen. David Petraeus was unanimously confirmed by the Senate to be the nation’s top commander in Afghanistan Wednesday morning. The Washington Post>>>

2. On the third day of her confirmation hearings, Republicans pressed Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan on her stance on social issues like abortion and gays and lesbians in the military. The New York Times>>>

3. President Obama is set to give a major speech on immigration reform Thursday, but The Hill is reporting that the speech will not give a timeline for action.

4. Nevada Republican Senatorial candidate Sharron Angle granted her first interview with the mainstream media after weeks of silence. The Las Vegas Sun>>>

5. Members of Congress took a break from their jobs on Capitol Hill to play a game of baseball at the Washington National’s stadium. The Democrats defeated their Republican opponents 13-5. Politico>>>